GV?Gardeners: ‘Cactus Month’ fills desert with blooms

Throughout the countryside, May is probably the most exciting month of the year for gardeners.

Back East, the time has finally arrived when frost danger is past, and perennials are starting to bloom.

Don’t we all miss the seasonal sweet scent of peonies and lilacs?

May is also a memorable month in the desert. Officially designated as “Clean Air Month,” it could as well be called “Cactus Month.”

Cactus and other accent plants are blooming all over the area…mammillaria, trichocereus, hedgehogs, echinopsis, yucca, agave and the whole variety of prickly pear.

Arizona’s state cactus, the saguaro, is beginning to show swelling of new buds.

This is also prime time to plant cactus.

Although heat-loving, they should have time to develop established root systems before the coming high temperatures.

Getting the attention of pollinators can be a big job, so even the usually insignificant plants show off their bright-colored flowers now.

During the growing season which runs through September, it is suggested to water agaves, prickly pear, yuccas, ocotillos, and cactus once a month.

They will likely survive without supplemental water, but will look their best with this added care.

Annuals that brought needed winter color to the patio are beginning to look quite tired.

If time has run out for yours, pull them up and start planting summer annuals.

By buying new plants that are showing some bloom, so you can be sure they are the color you really want.

For your warm-season garden, look for gaillardia, ageratum, coreopsis, cosmos, lisianthus, portulaca, sunflower, blackfoot daisy, desert four o’clock, and zinnia.

It is recommended that flowers not be planted around the base of mesquite, palo verde, or acacia trees.

Because these plants need additional summer water, the health of low-water trees can be affected.

Because summer shade is much appreciated by the plants, perhaps planting in large containers placed under the trees may be the answer.

To keep flowering plants moist enough in the coming high temperatures, at least a five-gallon size container is recommended.

When temperatures regularly reach into the 100s, a smaller container can require very frequent watering.

Neither you nor the plant roots will be happy with that.

If you have been thinking of planting a palm tree, May is the ideal month.

Check reference data closely before making your selection. Some palms are much better suited for our occasional cold desert mornings than others.

If you already have established palms, this is the time to fertilize them with a complete, balanced fertilizer.

To take out the guess work, buy a product formulated specifically for palms and follow label directions closely.

For good fruit development, late May is the recommended time to apply the second feeding of the year to citrus trees.

The local Pima County Extension Service has a number of data sheets on the care and feeding of citrus.

The office, located on White House Canyon Road just past the railroad crossing, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until noon.

To speak with a Master Gardener, stop by or call 648-0808.

If you are a vegetable grower, there is still time to sow seeds or set out transplants of melons, corn, cucumbers, okra, peppers, eggplant, and squash.

At the Allen J. Ogden Community Garden, plots are currently being watered twice daily for 20 to 30 minutes.

Aphids and spittle bugs are starting to appear on selected plants.

Blasting these away with a jet of water usually takes care of the situation.

Orange dog caterpillars, which are swallowtail butterfly larvae, may start to show up on citrus.

These cause minimal damage to a healthy tree, so removal by hand is all that is needed.

May can be a “critter month” too. Bee swarms are common now.

Snakes are enjoying the warming soil and are moving around again.

No need to be frightened… just be alert!

In the garden you may also find mom bunnies, quail families, and confused baby doves.

It may be necessary to bring out the chicken wire fencing to protect your new plants for a while.

All creatures in the garden show excitement during this time of year.

It is a time of new beginnings, so savor your moments in the beautiful outdoors. Truly, May is a gift for all to enjoy.

Mary Kidnocker is a Master Gardener who writes frequently about the subject from a local perspective. Her columns appear Sundays. She is president of The Green Valley Gardeners.